IIT Madras’s solar car ‘Aagneya’ to race in Bridgestone World Solar Challenge

A solar-powered car built by students at IIT Madras is set to compete in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2025, a 3,000-kilometer race across the Australian outback from Darwin to Adelaide, scheduled for Aug 24 to 31.

The vehicle, named “Aagneya,” was developed by Team Agnirath, a 38-member student group from the institute’s Centre for Innovation (CFI).

Starting with just six members in 2021, the team has grown into one of India’s leading student-led engineering collectives.

The car was officially unveiled on campus by IIT Madras Director Professor V Kamakoti, who applauded the team’s creativity and technical skill.

“Such student-led efforts are key to building successful start-ups and unicorns in India,” Kamakoti said, noting that IIT Madras had incubated over 100 start-ups and filed more than 470 patents in the past year.

“You must have the confidence that if you are part of a start-up from IIT Madras, it will lead to a unicorn,” Kamakoti added.

“Aagneya” features a full carbon fiber body—one of the largest made by an Indian student team—reducing the car’s overall weight significantly.

The solar panels have been upgraded to 24% efficiency, up from 19%, and the battery size has been reduced while maintaining performance.

The car also incorporates advanced AI-powered systems. A machine learning module helps optimize race strategy based on terrain, weather, and solar energy input, while a live telemetry system sends real-time updates to the pit crew.

The project was supported by sponsors including Game Change Solar, Billion Mobility, Charge Zone, and COEZET, which enabled access to high-quality components and testing infrastructure.

Sairam J, business module lead of Team Agnirath and a third-year biological sciences student, described the challenge as “the most demanding engineering competition in the world,” pointing to extreme temperature shifts and strong crosswinds.

“Daytime temperatures soar above 50°C and drop below 5°C at night,” he said, adding that crosswinds exceeding 60 km/h will test the car’s stability and aerodynamic integrity.

As they prepare to navigate the harsh Australian terrain, the students aim to prove not just the performance of their vehicle but the potential of Indian engineering on the global stage.